melted
from the ore the furnace is tapped at the bottom, and the metal,
consisting of gold, silver, copper, and lead, runs out into large
pots. It is then run into moulds. This metal is called "bullion."

The next process is to separate the lead from the other metals.
The bullion is melted in a large deep basin and molten zinc is
added. The zinc forms an alloy with the gold, silver, and copper,
which is lighter than the lead, and therefore floats on the
surface. Then this alloy is skimmed off and taken to another part
of the works, where it is placed in furnaces and the zinc burned
out. After all the zinc has been gotten rid of the metal is taken
to a large room which contains a row of small furnaces. Inside of
these furnaces are shallow cupels over which a current of air
passes. After the metal has been melted in these cupels it is run
out into moulds, which shape the metal into plates about twenty
inches long and ten in width.

The metal of these plates consists of gold and silver, which still
have to be separated. The plates are hung in gauze bags and put in
strong nitric acid. This acid dissolves the silver, but does not
affect the gold, which drops down into the bags and is caught
there. About three inches distant from the sack containing the
gold and silver plate is a very thin plate of silver. This plate
and the one in the sack are connected to a dynamo. The current of
electricity causes the dissolved silver to deposit itself on the
plate. After all the silver has been collected it is cast into
blocks weighing one thousand ounces each. The gold is likewise
cast into blocks.

I saw about $100,000 worth of silver in the vaults and in the
works. There are other methods of separating these metals, but I
think this is the most common way. Some ores are more easily
worked than others.

HOMER L. STEWART, R.T.F.
PITTSBURG, PA.

The Lyre-Bird.

The lyre-bird is a very beautiful bird, and is to be found in the
eastern part of Australia. The form and structure of the tail
resemble an ancient Grecian lyre, hence its name. The size of this
bird is about that of the common hen, the eyes are dark hazel,
large, mild in expression, and very beautiful. The wings are short
and hollow, rendering great assistance when running, but of li